Posted by Lieutenant Miriam Cross (Chief Medical Officer) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)

Posted by Lieutenant Mthunzi Nkosenye (Chief of Security) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)

Posted by Lieutenant Miriam Cross (Chief Medical Officer) in KwaZulu- Natal - Visiting Home, Introductions Are Made (Tag Cross)
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
true to his word, Mthunzi had arraigned for he and Cross to travel to his home town. A suborbital flight and a short shuttle ride put them in the middle of the huge and bustling city of Ulundi. It was a beautiful city and well maintained by the city government and the residents. As they exited the shuttle, Nkosenye seemed to relax. And here, he did not stand out (as much) as he did most other places.

Nkosenye led Cross out of the shuttle port and into a ground car. He looked at her and smiled and said “So you have a choice. We can go to the market place first and pick up a few things. Or… we can go to my family’s house and get settled and then go shopping. You cooked for me… or at least had someone do so…” and he chuckled at the memory of the stew, “… so tonight I cook for you.” and then he looked ahead. “There will be a few people at dinner. I hope you don’t mind. I have not seen my family in some time.” and he looked at her and said “And I have not told them about… us. I simply said that a crew mate was very interested in seeing KwaZulu-Natal.” and he leaned close and kissed her cheek. “Not that I don’t want to say anything.” he said softly. ” But I thought ‘meeting the folks’ on our second date may be a bit forward of me.” and he smiled at her.

Nkosenye, CoS

’’ I understand’’ the doctor replied as she stood on her toes so he would not have to bend so much to kiss her ‘’Let’s meet your family first ,we can always go to the market later on’‘.

She was wearing a simple dress with yellow flowers printed on it that reached just above her knees ‘’Nkosenye do I look presentable?’’ Cross asked not sure about his family’s culture. It felt nice to be with the man she had started to fall in love with,it was great to be back on Earth with no Captain to keep an eye on her lest she wandered off....at some point Cross knew she would eventually have to tell the CoS about the altered gene and it was not something the female doctor relished.

Cross Dr.

Mthunzi looked at her and said “I cannot imagine you looking more beautiful than you do right now. And do not worry about being ‘presentable’. My parents are very progressive… despite what our house may seem like at first!” he added with a laugh. “And I think you will enjoy speaking with my mother. She is a Medical Doctor as well. Pathologist. She is the chair of the Pathology school at the University. My father teaches anthropology. And my brothers and sisters are going to be there as well. We are a… large family.” and he put his arm around her and pulled her close to him in the seat of the ground craft as they began leaving the main city and going out towards the unspoiled countryside. As the city disappeared behind them, the scenery changed from the claustrophobic confines of a major city to a sprawling savannah. Nkosenye pointed out the window. “That is the Park where I learned my people’s traditions. And where I earned this.” and he indicated the necklace he always wore.

Cross looked at the Park then at his necklace nodding ,Nkosenye story was still very clear in her mind.

After about half an hour, they pulled off the main road and traveled up a gravel road through dense tree coverage. The sounds of animals could be heard clearly, and if one wasn’t completely aware of where they were going, cardinal directions would be lost quickly. Fifteen minutes on the gravel and the car pulled into a large flat area that fronted a large house.

Rather than metal and advanced building materials, the structure was made of wood. It was decorated as if it had been there in that spot for millennia, becoming part of the jungle around it. A large porch faced the parking area, on which sat many chairs of varying sizes and types but all were made in a traditional sense. Large fans spun slowly in regular places under the roof of the porch. Antlers, masks, bits of pottery and other indigenous crafts were placed all over; some on small tables and some mounted on the walls. As the ground craft came to a stop. Of the many chairs on the porch, more than several were occupied. Tall and muscular ebony skinned men and women rose to their feet, and their lips parted in smiles of joy and happiness. Several of them began shouting in the unfamiliar Zulu language, the only word recognizable to a non-speaker being “Mthunzi”. As the figures poured off the porch towards the car, two older figures came out through the open front door and stood in the doorway, an arm around each other and smiles on their faces.

The female doctor took in what was visible ,the place looked serene and felt a moment of envy thinking about what she never had back home.

Mthunzi looked at Miriam and said “Stay here. Just a moment.” with a big grin, and he extricated himself from the vehicle. Standing tall, he was immediately swarmed by the people from the crowd. After a few moments and the exchange of greetings and hugs and kisses, he looked up at the two figures and smiled and waved his large arm, to which they raised one each of their own. Mthunzi looked into the car and said “Ok. Please. Come meet my family.” and he held his hand out to her to help her out of the car.

Cross gave him her hand pressing his while getting out of the car.

Once out, a very tall woman, beautiful and smelling of exotic fragrances put two hands on her hips and looked intently at Cross. “So. You are the ‘crew mate’, I take it?” she said sternly, but was immediately rebuked by another tall woman. “Nomusa, leave her be.” and she stepped between the two and looked at Cross. “Nomusa was always overprotective of her oldest brother. I am Zanele. And you must be Dr. Cross. We welcome you to our home, and we hope that you feel welcome and happy being here.” With that she put two hands on either side of Cross’s head and bent her head gently but firmly forward and kissed her forehead and then placed her forehead against her own for a moment. Softly she said “You are most welcome, dear one. Mthunzi has never brought anyone home before. So no matter what he says, I know he finds you special.” and she released Cross and turned to the assembly. ‘Back to the house! We have our brother home and his associate to settle in. And they must meet our parents. Back!” and began shooing the brothers and sisters of Mthunzi towards the house.

It took more then a scorn woman to intimidate Cross who still kept her smile on.

’’ I am Zanele. And you must be Dr. Cross’‘
‘’Do please call me Miriam’’ she told Zanele and went on with their culture greeting ‘’Your brother is indeed special to me ‘’.

Mthunzi looked at Miriam and said “If it gets to be… too much… just let know and we can leave for a bit. I just haven’t been home in… well… several years.” and he started to reach for her hand, but caught himself and simply gestured to the house. “After you, Dr. Cross.” he said, and he smiled at her in a friendly but not too familiar way, no matter how much he wanted to walk her up to his family and tell them who she really was to him.

Nkosenye

’’ Thank you ‘’ Cross replied taking the first step ‘’Don’t worry about me just enjoy your family,after all you never know when we shall be called back Lt’‘.

Cross Dr.

Nkosenye led the way up the wide and broad wooden steps to the covered patio. The smell of fresh herbs and flowers hung thick in the air, but it wasn’t overpowering. Rather, it seemed to make everything fresh and clean. The couple in the opening of the large double doors smiled warmly and the man stepped forward and put his hands on Mthunzi’s shoulders. A huge smile crossed his face as he looked up at what could only be his son, the resemblance was that strong. After a brief exchange, he wrapped his arms around the big Security Chief, closed his eyes tightly, and embraced him. As he did so, he opened his eyes and looked at Cross. He winked at her and pulled back from Nkosenye.

Cross was about to wink back but decided instead to give the father a warm smile and lower her head.

As he did so, the woman in the doorway came forward and, following the same routine as the man, embraced her son. She then looked at Cross and approached her and put her hands on Miriam’s shoulders. “A true pleasure it is to meet you, my dear. I am Yibanathi. This is my husband, Kagiso. Welcome to our home. ” she said with a smile. She then pulled her close and gave her a warm hug. “Do come in. You must be tired and hungry from your travels.” and she almost pulled her into the house.

‘’Thank you ma’am’’ the doctor replied hugging her back while trying not to loose her footing and trip over,at this point she did wonder if Nkosenye’s family were all as strong as he was.

Crossing the threshold, ‘house’ wasn’t quite the right term for the structure. Completely open throughout, it was a three story structure with a large open expanse in the middle, the upper floors hidden by the trees outside. The ceiling high above was clear so the whole interior was lit by the natural African sunlight. Large windows stood open all around the ground floor with screen over them to keep out insects. A soft, cool breeze seemed to blow continuously through the rooms, ensuring that the inhabitants stayed cool despite the heat outside. Looking up, the upper two floors seemed to be made or rooms surrounding the open space of the home, with doors leading off on all sides. Spiral staircases sat at opposite corners of the ground floor leading up the next. A large seating area decorated with large couches, chairs, stacks of pillows, and a large, low table in the center sat at the bottom of five steps that lead down from the front door; inviting all who entered to sit and relax. Past the seating area, the floor again rose into a huge kitchen complete with fire pit with a large copper hood providing an exit for smoke. Counters partitioned off the kitchen area from the rest of the room, but there were multiple openings for people to move through. Pat the cooking area was another large seating area, the walls of which were covered in bookshelves. Hundreds and hundreds of books, files, albums, vids, optical disks, and holo emitters filled every shelf. Actual photographs graced the walls, as did more African and tribal artifacts and maps. Some looked hundreds of years old.

The female doctor looked around rather impressed by the decor,even the air she was breathing seemed different.As her eyes fell on the artifacts and maps she remembered him saying his father was an Anthropologist ,her brain cells decided to remind her of the day she stole a map and practically got everyone in trouble.Cross shook her head slightly as if to get rid of that memory ,her locks bobbing up and down as she did so.

As the small crowd of people came inside, they started filling the front seating area. Nkosenye ushered Miriam to a large overstuffed leather chair draped with an animal hide of some kind. The hide had been decorated with black and red beads around the edges of it. “Sit, Doctor. Please. Would you like a drink?” he asked.

Nkosenye, CoS

‘’Oh yes please ‘’Cross replied realizing how thirsty she was ‘’Lt.. since we are off duty could we call each other by our first names’’ the doctor suggested loud enough for those nearby to hear,then sat down wondering if her pretty behind was sitting on a once life animal .

Cross Dr.

Mthunzi grinned slightly and nodded. “Of course… Miriam.” and his mother slapped his arm. “Don’t just stand there, you big ox. Help me fetch the drinks.” and she dragged him to the kitchen. They could be seen setting out large clay cups and a massive pitcher made of some kind of pottery and colored in bright and contrasting colors and filling it with some kind of dark reddish-purple liquid.

As they prepared the drinks, Zanele walked over to where her father had taken a seat in a large chair that seemed to dominate the area and she whispered something in his ear, and cast a glance at Miriam and smiled as she spoke. In response, Kagiso simply smiled slightly and nodded in agreement. As Zanele took a seat next to Nomusa, who was still scowling at Cross, Mthunzi and Yibanathi came back with the drinks on a large tray. Setting it down on the center table, Mthunzi began passing out drinks. As he did so to Miriam, he gave her a slight smile and small shake of his head and mouthed “I’m so sorry.” and the smile grew a bit more. As he took his seat, Kagiso said “A toast. To our prodigal son. The spirits saw fit to bring him home to us, even if just for a short while. And they have graced our home with the company of Dr. Cross. We thank them for bringing both across our threshold safely and hope that will be happy for the length of their stay.” and he raised his glass and was mirrored by the rest of the family, Mthunzi included.

Nkosenye, CoS

How long had it been since she said that non verbal communication speak volumes....a few hours maybe at the academy. Cross took the offered glass looking at its contents with suspicion,wondering how she was going to get out of this one.

‘’I’m sorry Mthunzi I suffer from a condition and would prefer just a glass of water,hope I’m not being a disappointment ‘’the female doctor claimed with displeasure caused by the non-fulfilment of one’s hopes or expectations .

Cross Dr.

Mthunzi cocked his head to the side in a slightly confused expression. He said softly “It is only a berry juice, nothing more. But I can get you glass of water. An no, you are not a disappointment.” he said with a small smile. He fetched the water, and another clear pitcher with more water in it, and set it on the table and held the glass out to her.

Nkosenye, CoS

Darn Cross thought *Wrong number’’ she had half expecting it was a trick maybe his culture was different as if the doctor was on another planet ,perhaps she should stop being so paranoid ‘’Thanks Mthunzi I appreciate it’’ Cross said taking the glass of water and sipped it quietly.
There was much to tell,she could not wait for time alone with him.

Cross Dr.

Kagiso raised his glass and said in a deep voice not unlike Mthunzi’s “For the first time in many seasons, our home is blessed with all of our family within it’s walls… and with friends from beyond our circle.” and he smiled and nodded at Miriam. “The Spirits have seen fit to put us all together, and that means we will show our thanks. Tonight, we feast as our ancestors did. In celebration of family, hearth, home…” and again he looked and smiled at Miriam before casting his gaze over everyone, “… and new friends who we welcome into our home and our Circle with open arms and open hearts.” and he took a drink, but did not sit down. The family followed suit, but did not speak.

“Mthunzi, my son. My oldest. You have learned our ways perhaps better than even I have. And you bring honor to us by living in balance between the old and the new. Tonight, you will invoke the Spirits and carve our bounty.” This statement was met with a stunned look from Mthunzi and broad smiles and few soft words of celebration from his siblings.

Nkosenye